Two Ala. judges rule against electronic bingo
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Two Alabama judges rule against electronic bingo...
Two Alabama judges rule against electronic bingo
Late this afternoon, Jefferson County presiding Judge Scott Vowell said electronic bingo machines collected in a raid in Kimberly are illegal. Earlier today, Judge Robert Vance, also a Jefferson County judge, ruled electronic bingo in Walker County is illegal and all bingo halls must shut down.
In about ten days Bingo Hall operators will have to remove illegal electronic bingo machines from Walker County.
The bingo machine ring will soon come to an end. That’s after Judge Robert Vance ruled electronic bingo is illegal.
Bingo & Charity attorney, Herbie Brewer said, “Certainly the clients that are making money are disappointed, but the charities of course are disappointed in that they’re not going to be able to fulfill these programs that they already planned for.“
The decision is immediate so Walker County bingo halls must close down.
Walker County District Attorney, Charles Baker said, “But the court here said that they, the way the game is being played, is illegal, so the sheriff and I have no discretion in this matter.“
The sheriff has called electronic bingo permit processing, manpower intensive. Now his deputies can go back to the business of fighting crime.
Walker County Sheriff John Mark Tirey said, “I’m very pleased when the judge ruled, that struck down the enabling statute that took somewhat of a burden off me.“
An appeal is unlikely.
Brewer said, “I doubt seriously if Judge Vance, giving the tenor of his order would order a stay of execution for his order.“
Electronic bingo has become a billion dollar business in Alabama. Today’s ruling against it - may have an effect on the industry across the state which Vance ruled allows for paper bingo only.
Walker Co Sheriff’s Attorney, Bill Adair said, “I think it’s very clear that all of them, because of Alabama’s strong public policy against lotteries are in question at this point.“
Not even Walker’s County Commission will be able to bring back electronic bingo.
Vance’s ruling prevents the county from overriding the state amendment. The Walker County DA said most operators plan to comply with the ruling and voluntarily shut down.
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Reader Reactions
BINGO = a few casinos get rich
Lottery = Millions get educated (e.g. If we mirror GA Lottery)
More than $11.2 Billion from lottery to the Students of Georgia.
More than 1.2 million HOPE Scholarship recipients
more than 940,000 four-year-olds to Pre-k programs throughout the state
Go to:
http://www.galottery.com/stc/aboutus/proceedsToEducation.jsp
http://www.lotteryinsider.com/people/bios/paul.htm
Firstly, county, city and state government obviously didn’t have a problem taking the money from the operators of these electronic bingo halls. They gladly stretched their hands out to take the permit fee for each and every machine that has now been deemed “illegal”.
Secondly, will there be any refunds to the operators that paid these permit fees? These people paid the fees as were required, to operate each machine for one year. Shouldn’t that, in some way, constitute a breech of contract?
Lastly, why am I being denied the opportunity to vote on the issue of electronic bingo in my county? I have been a resident of Jefferson county for the past 15 years and a resident of the state of Alabama for 42 years. Whether I am pro or con on this subject should not be a factor. Where is democracy? What happened to for the people, by the people? Is it dead? Has it ever truly existed in Alabama? Why does our governor and representatives feel the need to decide our morality? Do they think we, as residents and voters, not intelligent enough to make decisions? Are we not even allowed the right to voice our opinions and desires?
All I would like is for us, the citizens of Alabama, to have the opportunity to voice our desires, in the form of voting on a ballot. Isn’t that supposed to be the American way? When did we lose that right? Who took it away… one person… many people? Was it sudden or did our government steal it away, just a pinch at a time?
The people of Alabama deserve what the founding fathers of this great nation intended for us to have… a VOICE.
The ruling against the bingo halls is great for the state of Alabama. I am in a neighboring county to Walker. I know many people whose families have already been hurt by the bingo halls. Yes, I know that people can travel to other areas to gamble. But many people in my area have not done that until the gambling was accessible in Walker County.
I thought the State Supreme Court was looking at this…What happens if they rule it legal? This might be something that should go before the voters..
I don’t participate in bingo but neither do I care if others want to play..
No Im not a religious zealot. I am a realist, though. In fact, Im for a lottery or legalized gambling in Alabama. However, Im not for “CHEEZY” metal buildings with “BINGO” all over them that make towns and roadways look like trash.
The rulings are just and a good. I travel the old Hwy 78 corridor and admit that all the bingo halls make the county look like trash. Thankfully, the judges acted accordingly and the counties will get cleaned up. The last thing Alabama needs is another Phenix City story on its hands.
Two Jefferson county Judges rule on Walker county.Whats wrong with this picture?
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